language
Speaking of the cross
Much of what Christianity has long been saying about the cross of Christ is problematic. So what is to be done about it?
Faith in translation: The gospel as a second language
A fast-growing number of people do not have a religious first language. And many churches don't seem eager to connect with them.
by Trey Hall
On the verge of comprehension
Those who heard the disciples preach on Pentecost comprehended the message in their own language. But that was only the beginning.
Speech bearers: The divine in the human
In John's prologue, the incarnate Word is the God of creative address.
Fluent in God’s work
Learning a language requires us to focus our attention on something outside ourselves. It's a lot like learning to pray.
A shower of nouns
My Italian is rusty. When I go to church in Rome and try to follow along, I'm reminded of Woolf's "incessant shower of innumerable atoms."
Borderland speech
The best outcome of the tensions in Ukraine would allow the country to develop its unique role as a bridge between languages and cultures.
Literally, schmliterally
Guys, it's okay: the new definition of "literally" is not actually new. It's also not even a little bit of a problem.
Followers, friends and faith in the digital age
The digital age is changing not only the words we use but also their meanings. Have you noticed, for instance, that “Christ follower” is replacing “born again” and “evangelical”? Take a moment to peruse the list of who Rick Warren follows on Twitter.
What are productive ways to talk about climate change?
Earlier this year, the Century published a piece by an environmental scientist on just how radical the current shift in CO2 levels are—from the perspective of 50 million years. As I was working with that scientist, Lee Vierling, on the piece, we struggled to find a language that he and I and readers of the Century could share.
He wanted something that was fluid and scientifically absolutely accurate. He also wanted to be certain that he was not using scare tactics.
Bad words in the pulpit
A few months ago I preached a sermon that a lot of people loved and a few people hated. I heard from both groups but spent more time, as is perennially the case in ministry, with the few.
I didn’t set off to be controversial. I looked at the texts, read some commentaries. (Get behind me, Satan.) And then, in the middle of the week, a United Methodist preacher's kid made the news.
Language games
More books have been published about Stanley Cavell than he has written himself. Why?
Ordinary 19B (John 6:35, 41-51; 1 Kings 19:4-8; Ephesians 4:25-5:2)
For decades, my students have failed to grasp the resurrection of the body as an article of faith.